Nihoooon- GO!

Mamouru blushed at Rachel's words, trying to nod eagerly to her and not look so embarrassed at everything she said. He needed to be more confident. He was, but Rachel's smooth maturity was something he wasn't used to. It was intriguing and he found himself wanting to bolster himself in the face of it. Of course he was there to encourage Cassie and look damn good doing it.

Still, Cassie seemed to remain sheepish as she poked at her food. Was she still upset or just generally uncomfortable. Mamouru could certainly understand if she was. There was no way in the world that he would want Cassie around HIS mother. That thought alone knotted him up a bit. She already knew what kind of problems her and Taylor had.

Mamouru nodded eagerly at Marc's words. He, himself, had a lot of things that he wanted to say and do to that masked bitch. She was the reasons things were so awkward between himself and Cassie this very moment. He felt himself gripping his chopsticks quite tightly and set them down before they accidentally snapped.

After dinner, Mamouru cleaned up while Cassie got the others situated. He did the dishes and made sure everything was put back where it belonged. While he did that, Cassie would find that Akashi had slumped from her kneeling position and flopped on her back. Jacob still nestled in her lap while one arm was flopped and outstretched and the other was tucked into her open kimono, subconsciously scratching at her chest while she softly snored.

When Mamouru was finished he sat quietly at the couch until Cassie returned. He looked at her softly, tilting his head to catch her at a half glance. "They are wonderful, Cassie-san." Mamouru said genuinely. "I can see where you get..." He paused. "Well, everything." He said with a smile. "You're lucky to have such a family."

Mamouru then leaned back in his seat and turned his head. "Cassie-san." He said as he lowered his head. "I hope you're not mad at me for doing this behind your back... I wanted to surprise you..." He wasn't sure how she would respond and while he didn't think she would be upset, he thought she may have other things to say.

"No..." Cassie said, tugging at the bottom of her gray shirt, stretching out and distorting the blue heart on the front. She avoided making eye contact. "I'm not mad."

She didn't really know what she was, but she was definitely something. She glanced around. Everyone was stowed away for the night, more or less. Akashi and Bucky might get up eventually, though at least Bucky looked plenty comfortable. At the moment, everything was quiet in the house, and they were by themselves in the main room.

"Mamouru..." She said. Her eyebrows were tightly knotted and her lips slightly parted like she was going to say something else, but she couldn't think of what to say. She confused herself. She felt like she might catch fire at any moment.

"Let's... go where my parents can't listen in. Or... I don't want to wake them up." She seized Mamouru by the wrist and led him down the hall to the laundry room.

"Um..."

She kept her gaze turned away at the floor as she moved to stand right in front of him, and then without slowing down she reached up to put her arms around his neck and pull him down, stood on her toes, and pressed her body against him while she kissed him with sudden, unrepentant passion.

Mamouru let out a soft sigh when Cassie said she wasn't mad. He was sure she wasn't. How could she really be? But there was more to it than that. Still, her no only gave him temporary relief. Especially when she said his name. What could she want from him, saying it like that?

Before he could say anything, she already had him and tugged him away, out of the room and down the hall to the laundry room. He followed her quickly so she didn't have to tug him. Was she going to scream at him? Was she ready to continue where they had left off earlier? He didn't know.

He never got the chance to think about it. He was caught off guard by her sudden movements and before he could even think, her lips were pressed against his. He had to throw his arm back to keep from falling against the washign machine and making a loud thump.

His other handacted on its own and cradled her ass firmly, pushing up tightly against her to take some pressure off her as she stretched to reach him. With how tightly their bodies were locked together, Cassie would undoubtedly feel what kind of affect she had on his body. It'd never happened so quickly in his life.

His tongue moved in a flourish as he tried to push it into her mouth. He was unthinking for the moment and his body drove on natural instinct as he finally felt like he was getting everything he desired.

With a cloudy head, overcome with desire and lust, he pulled the hand that had been bracing them up and grabbed Cassie's arm. He gripped it tightly. He braced himself and with a hard jerk, broke the kiss as he turned his head. He tried to pull her arm away. "C-Cassie-san." He barely breathed out the word.

His body shook and he turned his head. "I... I love you." He said sputtered out the words, almost in disbelief himself. "And that's why.. that's why we can't.. We can't do this. Not now. Not here." He said as he pulled his arm off her and clenched his fist tightly. He felt his fingers dig into his own skin and it kept him from clouding over as he turned to face her and look her int he eyes, pressing his forehead against hers and staring deeply into her eyes. He could not believe this moment. It was too surreal. Part of him wished it was a dream part of him thought it was some cruel nightmare.

When Mamouru finally pulled away, Cassie was breathing hard and her cheeks were flushed. Her palms were sweaty. She'd never flung herself with such abandon into someone like that.

When Mamouru began to speak, she couldn't breathe. She inhaled sharply as if the words had stung her, and she rested her cheek against his check, until...

"W-what?" She was confused again. She pulled back to look up at him as he put his forehead against hers. "But... but I thought..."

Did he not think about her like that? He certainly seemed to, but maybe any guy would kiss a girl back like that. Did he love her like a little sister? Was she too cute for him to think of like that? Did she just make the biggest mistake ever?

"D-don't you..." She said. Her eyes were confused and frightened and heartbreakingly vulnerable just before she burst into tears. She lowered her eyes and put a hand over her face and quickly fled the room. She climbed the stairs and shut herself in her room without looking back.

Mamouru couldn't even speak when Cassie began to try and search out answers from him. He could feel his own heart wrench in his chest. He knew what was going to happen and yet he also knew he had to do it.

It was so hard to watch Cassie go and he felt himself stumble backwards and slump against the washing machine. He slid down and ran his fingers through his hair and clutched his hair tightly. He stamped his foot and threw his head backwards, letting it crash into the washing machine.

"Yes! yes I do! Dammit, Cassie!!" He shouted. "I do ... more than anything..." He sighed and slumped against the machine, his body sinking to the ground so only his head was bent against the machine. His eyes became bleary but he never cried. His hands flopped to his sides and he stared at the wall with a solemn scowl on his face.

The sound of shouting from downstairs roused Jacob from his sleep. He sleepily lifted his head, which had been still pillowed on Akashi's leg. He smiled and sat up, and gave Akashi's shoulder a little shake.

"Hey," he said softly. "Don't you think you'd be more comfortable in your bed?" He touched her hair, gently running his fingers along her loose curls, something he would never have done if he was fully awake.

"I'd offer to carry you, but..." He grinned. "I gotta check on Cass."

He passed Cassie on the stairs. She obviously wasn't looking to talk to him, but she knew the look in her eyes. He put a hand on her head as she passed and his mouth tightened as he looked down the stairs. Maybe it was time to be a big brother.

He found the first floor mostly dark and completely empty. He made a lap, turning out an unused lamp and pushing in a chair before something down the hall caught his eye. He entered the laundry room to find Mamouru on the floor.

He sighed, and crouched down next to him, resting his elbows on his knees. He didn't say anything at first, and maybe he didn't need to. He already understood, or so he thought, and maybe Mamouru knew it. But maybe not.

"How's it goin'?" He said to finally break the silence.

Akashi let out a grunt when Jacob spoke. She swung her arm around and curled onto her side. She had been napping, not sleeping but decided to just roll with it. Maybe she would crawl to bed in a bit.

Mamouru was considering what to do as well as he laid on the floor. He just didn't feel like moving right now. He just hoped he hadn't stirred anyone with the racket he had made. Another reason why he needed to stay still. Even if he wanted to go, he would at least wait until he was sure no one was coming. The last thing he wanted right now was to have to deal with someone.

When Jacob entered, Mamouru only turned his eyes to look at him. Great... He thought. He stared at Jacob until he spoke. Why couldn't he just leave.

Mamouru grunted and shimmied himself up to a sitting position. He lifted up his hand and adjusted his glasses. "As well as could be expected, all things considered." He answered finally and looked sternly at Jacob. "I'm sorry for disturbing you. I really should get going." He said, hoping tat Jacob would take the hint.

Jacob grinned and nudged Mamouru's shoulder with his hand. "You're trying to get rid of me."

Rather than making his exit, he sat down against the washing machine next to Mamouru with his legs out in front. He was a patient enough guy to wait until he thought of something helpful to say, although dozens of probably unhelpful things raced through his head. Maybe Mamouru thought he was protective of Cassie, but he'd never met Jake before.

"So..." He said. "What kind are you?" He asked. It was vague, he knew, but he figured Mamouru was on the same page.


Marc stirred immediately when he heard Mamouru's shouts. He inhaled sharply, and after a moment to get his bearings he began to get up. Rachel put an arm across his chest to stop him, and pulled him closer.

"No," she said. "Leave them be."

After considering it and with some trepidation, Marc acquiesced and laid back down. He fell back asleep first. Rachel laid awake for a long time before allowing herself to finally sink back into her much needed rest.


Cassie peeked out her bedroom door, and when she was sure the coast was clear she crept out into the hall. Akashi's door was still open, and the room dark, so she checked the workout room.

"Akashi," she whispered. "Can you come in for a minute?" She asked and went back to her room.

"Yes. I am." Mamouru said and flashed Jacob a bleary eyed grin.Still. He said nothing further and didn't try and stop Jacob from sitting next to him. He sat in silence staring at the wall in front of him until Jacob finally spoke. He raised his eyebrow and turned his head to look at Jacob.

"What kind of ... what? Forgive me. I don't quite understand what you're asking." He asked, just wondering what Jacob was getting at but having a little bit of an idea.

Akashi opened an eye finally when Cassie came and spoke. It seemed like she wasn't going to get any more sleep with people coming up and interrupting her. Then again, her back was probably going to thank her later for trying to wake her up.

She stood up slowly and shook her head. She pushed herself out of the workout room and into Cassie's, rubbing her eyes as she lumbered into the room.

"CAassie-san..." She said groggily, lifting her head up to look at the girl. "What's going on?" He tone was that of someone who was not informed enough to be concerned. She glanced past Cassie out of the window and then leaned towards the door. "Everyone's in bed already?" She said. "They must have really been tuckered out!"

She grinned at Cassie. "Oh... you've come to scold me for being a bad host, haven't you!" Akashi bowed her head. "G-Gomen, Cassie-san I just.. and then he... and we..." Suddenly she felt really awkward. She could understand why Cassie might be upset. Was taking a nap with her brother really so bad!? The more she thought about it in her head, the worse it sounded. Cassie was about to lay into her pretty badly, Akashi thought as she waited to take her licks.

Jacob nodded, and then clarified. "What kind of guy are you? There are a few different kinds that get sucked in by Bear and her Bear-ness." He let his eyes wander idly around the room. "I don't blame you or anything, I just want to know... Did you guys have a fight?"


"Akashi..." Cassie said, standing immediately in front of Akashi and looking directly up into her eyes. "I kissed Mamouru, and..." She could feel the tears coming back. "He didn't... I just feel so stupid! What do I do?"